Apparatus for forming a closed loop of tape threaded through a buckle



'Sept. 29, 1964 EDELMAN 3,150,804 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP 0F TAPE THREADED THROUGH A BUCKLE Filed Feb. 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z fTzg: 5. 26'

INVENTOR.

IRVING EDEI MAN.

ATTORNE).

Sept. 29, 1964 EDELMAN 3,150,804

APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP OF TAPE THREADED THROUGH A BUCKLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1963 p 29, 19614 EDELMAN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP OF TAPE THREADED THROUGH A BUCKLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1965 a ax INVENTOR.

IRVING EDEL MAN ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1964 EDELMAN 3,150,804

APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP OF TAPE THREADED THROUGH A BUCKLE Filed Feb. 18, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

IRVING EDELMAN ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,150,804 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP OF TAPE THREADED THROUGH A BUCKLE Irving Edelrnan, Franklin Square, N .Y., assignor to Index Industries, Inc, Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 259,324 17 Claims. (Cl. 223-49) This invention relates generally to apparatus for forming a closed loop of tape threaded through a buckle.

Adjustable shoulder strap assemblies for use on brassieres, slips and other garments usually include a buckle frame having slots through which a relatively long length of tape is threaded so as to constitute an adjustable strap, and a relatively short length of tape also threaded through a slot of the buckle and folded over so as to extend from the buckle in the opposite direction from the strap, thereby to constitute a tab by which the strap assembly is stitched or otherwise secured to the front of the garment while one end of the strap is similarly secured to the back of the garment. Machines have been provided, for example, as disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,715,984 and No. 2,770,204, issued August 23, 1955, and November 13, 1956, respectively, to Louis Brownstein, for automatically cutting the lengths of tape for the straps and tabs from continuous tape supplies, and further for automatically interthreading the straps and tabs with successive buckles so as to form adjustable strap assemblies. In order to avoid inadvertent removal of the tab from the buckle of each strap assembly, and further to facilitate the attachment of the tab to a garment, existing machines sew together the legs or branches of the tab, with the legs being disposed in coincidental, overlapping relation or in relative angular relation to form a forked tab, for example, as in US. Letters Patent No. 2,770,204, identified more fully above, or in US. Letters Patent No. 2,847,954, issued August 19, 1958, to Louis Brownstein. However, the speed at which the legs of the tab of each strap assembly may be sewed together, as in the machines disclosed in the foregoing patents, limits the rate of production of strap assemblies by such machines. Further, if the sewing machine used for sewing together the legs of each tab is made to operate at a high speed, in an attempt to increase the rate of production of the strap assemblies, a relatively high incidence of defective stitches or snarled thread is encountered. The sewing together of the legs of the tab of each strap assembly is also disadvantageously characterized by the presence of connecting threads extending between the sewn tabs of the successively produced strap assembly, so that it is necessary to manually cut the connecting threads upon discharge of the assemblies from the machine. The need for manually cutting the connecting threads between the sewn tabs of the successively produced strap assemblies precludes the possibility of automating the delivery of the completed strap assemblies from the machine producing the latter.

Accordingly, it is generally an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus by which the legs of the tab of each strap assembly are folded and secured together either in coincidental overlapping relation, or in relative angular relation, which apparatus is capable of high speed operation so as to make possible the attainment of a high rate of production of the strap assemblies.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the described character which reliably and uniformly folds and secures together the legs of the tab of each strap assembly even while operating at a high speed thereby to avoid the occur rence of defective products, and further which eliminates any connection between the tab of the successively produced strap assemblies so that the delivery of the successively produced strap assemblies may be automated in order to further reduce the manual labor involved in such production.

Since strap assemblies of the described character are normally packaged in bundles made up of predetermined members of strap assemblies, for example, each constituted by a dozen pairs of strap assemblies, it is a further object of this invention to provide a delivery device for a machine producing the strap assemblies, Which delivery device is automatically operative to accumulate the successively produced strap assemblies after the securing of the tabs thereof for delivery or discharge in groups of two dozen, or any other desired number of strap assemblies, thereby to facilitate the packaging thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the tape which is to be cut into individual lengths for the tabs of the strap assemblies is coated with a suitable thermosetting adhesive, and each tab, after being threaded through the related slot of a buckle, is acted upon by a folding mechanism to selectively arrange the legs of the tab either in coincidental overlapping relation, or in relative angular relation, whereupon heated jaws subject the legs of the tab to heat and pressure along a laterally extending zone at which the legs overlap, thereby to ad hesively bond or secure together the legs.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the completed strap assemblies are successively transferred to a support arm extending from a turret and, upon the transfer of a predetermined number of strap assemblies to such support arm, the turret is automatically indexed or turned so as to present another support arm thereof for reception of the successively completed strap assemblies, while the support arm previously loaded with the predetermined number of strap assemblies is progressively moved to a location at which the accumulated group of strap assemblies may be removed therefrom for convenient packaging.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable strap assembly of the type which has the legs of its tab adhesively secured together in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the apparatus provided in accordance with this invention for folding and securing together the legs of the tab of each strap assembly and for delivering the successive strap assemblies in accumulated groups each constituted by predetermined numbers thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tab folding and securing, and strap assembly delivering apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a portion of the structure appearing on FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, as viewed in the direction of the arrows 55 on FIG. 2, of a portion of the apparatus provided for folding and securing the tabs of the strap assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 2, but on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the operation of the apparatus for folding and securing the tab of each strap assembly, with the parts of such apparatus appearing in the positions thereof at the commencement of an operating cycle;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the positions of the parts of the folding and securing apparatus at the completion of a folding and securing operation;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale,

of a portion of the apparatus appearing on FIG. 3 for transferring the successive completed strap assemblies to one of the support arms of the delivery turret;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9, but showing the transfer mechanism in other operative positions thereof;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the apparatus appearing on FIG. 3, and by which indexing of the delivery turret is controlled so as to occur only following the transfer of a predetermined number of strap assemblies to a support arm of the delivery turret;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to that of FIG. 11, but showing the indexing control mechanism in other operative positions thereof; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 1414 on FIG. 3, and showing a ratchet mechanism for effecting indexing of the delivery turret.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that an adjustable strap assembly of the type with which the present invention is concerned includes a buckle 10 having a relatively long length of tape 11 interthreaded therewith, for example, by the apparatus disclosed in detail in the previously mentioned United States Letters Patent No. 2,175,984, so as to form an adjustable strap. The adjustable strap assembly further includes a relatively short length of tape 12 which is also threaded through the buckle 10, for example, by an apparatus as disclosed in the previously mentioned United States Letters Patent No. 2,770,204, and which is intended to be folded and secured by apparatus embodying the present invention so as to form a tab of the strap assembly having its legs 13a and 13b either in coincidental overlapping relation or in the angular relationship illustrated on FIG. 1.

The apparatus disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,715,984 appears schematically on FIG. 2 and is there generally identified by the reference numeral 14. The apparatus 14 is operative to cut the successive lengths of tape 11 from a continuous supply 11 thereof and to effect threaded engagement of the lengths of tape 11 with the successive buckles 10 which are progressively advanced along a guide track 15 by a buckle feeding mechanism moving the buckles from a supply 10' of the buckle in a magazine 16. The buckle feeding mechanism further progressively advances each'buckle 10 and the tape 11 interthreaded therewith along the guide track 15 to a position in alignment with an apparatus 17 which may be of the type disclosed in the previously mentioned United States Letters Patent No. 2,770,204. The apparatus 17 is generally operative to cut successive short lengths of tape 12 from a supply 12' thereof and to thread each short length of tape through a slot of the buckle 10 so that the lentgh of tape 12 extends equally above and below the buckle to form equal legs 13a and 13b lying substantially in a vertical plane, as shown on FIG. 7.

In order to permit the securing together of the legs 13a and 13b by heat and pressure in accordance with the present invention, the supply of tape 12' from which the successive tape lengths 12 are cut is impregnated with a suitable thermosetting resin.

The intermittent operation of the buckle feeding mechanism of apparatus 14 further progressively advances the successive buckles 10 from the location of the apparatus 17, where each buckle receives a tape length 12, to a station S (FIGS. 2, and 7) where an apparatus 18 embodying this invention is operative to fold and secure together the legs 13a and 13b of each tape length 12. During the movement of each buckle from the location of apparatus 17 to station S, the legs 13a and 13b of each tape length 12 pass between vertically disposed guide members 19 and 20 so as to be maintained in substantially vertical planes.

The apparatus 18 generally includes a folding mechanism 21 and a securing mechanism 22 which are both mounted on a suitable frame 23. As shown on FIG. 3, the frame 23 includes a base plate 24 having a post 25 extending upwardly therefrom with an arm 26 secured to the upper end of post 25 and projecting forwardly therefrom. The forward end of arm 26 has a laterally extending bore receiving a pivot pin 27 on which upper and lower H-shaped members 28 and 29 are rockably mounted (FIGURES 4 and 5).

The rockable members 28 and 29 form parts of the folding mechanism 21 which further includes rods 30 and 31 extending parallel to the guide track 15 and being slidably mounted in the rockable members 28 and 29, respectively, for axial movements relative to the latter and for movements with the members 28 and 29 about the axis defined by pivot pin 27. The rods 30 and 31 have free end portions extending to the station S and there carrying downwardly and upwardly projecting folding blades 32 and 33, respectively (FIGS. 5, 7 and 8). The blades 32 and 33 have projecting feet 34 at their confronting free ends spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the width of each tape length 12 for guiding the legs 13a and 13b of the latter during folding of each tape length 12, as hereinafter described in detail.

In order to maintain the blades 32 and 33 in substantially vertical planes during rocking of the H-shaped members 28 and 29, the ends of the rods 30 and 31 remote from the respective folding blades project beyond members 28 and 29 and have heads 35 and 36, respectively, secured thereon (FIGS. 4 and 5). The heads 35 have tongues 37 projecting radially downwardly and upwardly therefrom and being slidably received in slots 38 opening at the opposite ends of a rod 39 which extends between the heads 35 and 36. Each of the tongues 37 has an elongated slot 40 loosely receiving a pin 41 carried by the rod 39 and extending across the related slot 38. Thus, as the H-shaped members 28 and 29 rock in opposite angular directions about pivot pin 27, the tongues 37 of heads 35 and 36, and hence the blades 32 and 33 are maintained in vertical planes.

As shown on FIG. 5, a helical compression spring 42 is disposed on rod 30 between head 35 and member 28 to urge the rod 30 axially toward the right to a position where a collar 43 secured on rod 30 engages against member 28. Further, a helical compression spring 44 is disposed on rod 31 between the member 29 and a collar 45 fixed on rod 31 to urge the latter axially toward the left, as viewed on FIG. 5, to a position where the head 36 of rod 31 abuts against the rockable member 29. When the rods 30 and 31 are axially disposed in the positions illustrated on FIG. 5, that is, with the collar 43 engaging member 28 and the head 36 engaging member 29, the blades 32 and 33 are in vertical alignment and have their free ends immediately above and below the horizontal path of travel of the successive buckles 10 on the guide track 15.

In order to effect rocking movements of the H-shaped members 28 and 29, the latter are formed with rearwardly directed lugs 46 and 47 carrying pins 48 and 49, respectively, by which the members 28 and 29 are pivotally connected to adjustable links 50 and 51 at one end of the latter. The other ends of the links 50 and 51 are pivotally mounted on a pin 52 (FIGS. 3 and 4) at one end of a lever 53 which is rockably mounted, intermediate its ends, on an axle 54 supported by the post 25 of frame 23. The other end of lever 53 carries a cam follower roller 55 which is urged into contact with the periphery of a cam 56 by means of a tension spring 57 connected between lever 53 and post 25. The cam 56 is fixed on a cam shaft 58 which is suitably driven from the main drive shaft of the apparatus 14 so as to be turned in synchronism with the operation of the apparatuses 14 and 17 and the progressive advancement of the buckles 10 along the guide track 15.

The cam 56 is shaped so that, during the movement of a buckle 10 to the station S, cam follower roller 55 en- 'g'ags a radially small portion of cam 56, as shown'on FIG. 3, to dispose members 28 and 29 in their foremost rocked positions, whereby blades 32 and 33 are disposed in front of the substantially vertically extending legs 13a and 13b of the tape length 12, as shown on FIG. 7. During the residence of a buckle at the station S, cam follower roller 55 is engaged by a radially large portion of cam 56, thereby to rock lever 53 in the clockwise direction, as viewed on FIG. 3, so that members 28 and 29 are rocked rearwardly about pivot pin 27 and blades 32 and 33 are displaced rearwardly while remaining in substantially vertical positions. During such displacement of the blades 32 and 33, the bottom edges of the blades act rearwardly against the legs 13a and 13b to fold the latter rearwardly towards substantially horizontal positions, and the legs 13a and 13b of the tape length are engaged, at their opposite side edges, by the projecting feet 34 of blades 32 and 33 so that the legs of the tape length are laterally guided by the blades 32 and 33 during the folding of the tape length.

If the blades 32 and 33 remain in vertical alignment with each other during the rearward displacement thereof, then the legs 13a and 13b of each tape length 12 are disposed in coincidental overlapping relationship when folded. However, in order to permit the legs of the folded tape length or tab to be angularly related, the folding mechanism 21 further includes adjustable stationary cams 59 and 68 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) having longitudinally extending slots 61 receiving screws 62 by which the cams 59 and 60 are respectively secured on mounting blocks 63 and 64 extending upwardly and downwardly from frame arm 26.

The cam 59 has a cam surface 65 (FIG. 2) at the side thereof facing toward the station S, such cam surface being at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the related rod 30 upon rocking of the member 28. Similarly, the lower cam 60 has an angularly disposed cam surface 66 (FIG. 4), but at the side of the cam facing away from the tab folding and securing station S. As shown on FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, cam follower rollers 67 and 68 are carried by the rods 30 and 31, respectively, for engagement with the cam surfaces 65 and 66 of earns 59 and 60, respectively, upon rearward rocking of the H- shaped members 28 and 29. As roller 67 rides along cam surface 65, rod 30 and its blade 32 are displaced toward the left, as viewed on FIG. 5, for example, as indicated by the arrow 69 on FIG. 8, whereas the movement of roller 68 along cam surface 66 causes displacement of rod 31 and its blade 33 toward the right, as viewed on FIG. 5, for example, as indicated by the arrow 70 on FIG. 8. Thus, when the cams 59 and 60 are adjusted for engagement by the rollers 67 and 68 during rearward rocking of members 28 and 29, the corresponding rearward movements of the blades 32 and 33 are accompanied by opposed lateral movements of such blades. Since the opposite longitudinal edges of the legs 13a and 13b of the tape length 12 being folded by the rearward movement of blades 32 and 33 are engaged by the projecting feet 34 of the blades, the opposed lateral movements of the blades 32 and 33 serve to angularly displace the legs 13a and 13b in the opposite directions while such legs are being folded into substantially the same horizontal plane, as shown on FIG. 8.

When the H-shaped members 28 and 29 are in their foremost rocked positions illustrated on FIGS. 3 and 4, the blades 32 and 33 lie in a vertical plane disposed in front of the rearmost slot of each buckle 10 through which a tape length 12 extends. In order to ensure that the legs 13a and 13b will be disposed in back of blades 32 and 33 upon arrival of the related buckle 10 at the folding and securing station S, each guide member has its edge portion adjacent the station S curved rearwardly, as at 71 (FIGS. 2 and 7), thereby to rearwardly deflect the legs of the tape length arriving at the station S.

It will be understood that the blades 32 and 33 are laterally displaced during their rearward movement for angularly displacing the legs 13a and 13b relative to each other during the folding thereof, as described above, only when the cams 59 and 60 are longitudinally adjusted for engagement by the rollers 67 and 68. However, upon loosening of the screws 62, the earns 59 and 60 may be moved rearwardly, thereby to avoid contact of the rollers 67 and 68 with the respective cam surfaces 65 and 66 throughout the range of movement of the rollers 67 and 68 in response to rocking of members 28 and 29. When contact of rollers 67 and 68 with the respective cam surfaces 65 and 66 is thus avoided, the blades 32 and 33 can move rearwardly without any relative lateral displacement thereof, thereby to fold the legs 13a and 13b of the tape lengths 12 in coincidental overlapping relationship. Further, it will be understood that, by varying the positions of the cams 59 and 60 between their foremost and rearmost positions, the extent of the angular relationship of the folded legs 13a and 13b of each tape length 12 can be adjusted or varied.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, it will be seen that the mechanism 22 for securing together the legs 13a and 13b of each tape length 12 in the folded positions thereof includes a frame 72 made up of side frame members '73 with an end wall 74 extending between the back ends of the side frame members. The forward ends of side frame members 73 are mounted on a support bracket 75 which projects inwardly from the post 25. An axle 76 extends laterally between the front end portions of side frame members 73 and is supported by the latter. Upper and lower jaw members 77 and 78 are rockably mounted on axle 76 and extend generally forward from the latter. Arms 79 and 80 extend from the back end portion of jaws 77 and 78 substantially at right angles with respect to the latter and are pivotally connected, as at 81 and 82, to toggle links 83 and 84, respectively. The toggle links 83 and 84 are both pivotally connected to a pin 85 carried by a head 86 on a piston rod 87 extending from a compressed air operated cylinder 88. The cylinder 88 is suitably mounted, at its front end, on the end wall 74 of frame 72 and is operative to move the head 86 between the forward position illustrated in full lines on FIG. 6 and a rearmost position indicated by broken lines at 86'.

The jaws 77 and 78 have electric heating elements 89 therein which are suitably connected to a source of electric current (not shown) thereby to heat the jaws, and the front end portions of the jaws 77 and 78 are preferably formed with laterally extending raised areas 90 on their confronting surfaces to define the area over which the folded legs of each tape length 12 are subjected to heat and pressure when the jaws 77 and 78 are brought together by movement of the head 86 to its foremost position, as illustrated in full lines on FIG. 6. When the piston rod 87 is retracted so as to move the head to its rearmost position 86, the jaws 77 and 78 are spread open, as indicated in broken lines on FIG. 6. As shown on FIG. 3, compressed air may be alternatively supplied to the opposite ends of cylinder 88 through conduits 91 and 92 under the control of a valve 93 which is actuated by a cam 94 secured on a cam shaft 95. Cam shaft 95 may be driven from the upper cam shaft 58 through a gear train 96 (FIG. 2) so that the cam 94 is rotated in synchronism with the cam 56 which controls the move ments of the folding blades 32 and 33. The cam 94 is shaped so that the valve 93 actuated thereby causes the supply of air under pressure to cylinder 88 through the forward conduit 91, thereby to move 'head 86 to its rearmost position for opening jaws 77 and 78, during the movement of each buckle 10 to and from the folding and securing station S, and also during the rearward rocking of members 29 and 30 which causes the corresponding rearward displacement of the blades 32 and 33 for folding the tape 12 threaded through the buckle then at the station S. The cam 94 actuates valve 93 to supply compressed air to cylinder 88 through the rear conduit 92, thereby to move head 86 to its foremost position for closing jaws 77 and 78, only after blades 32 and 33 have been moved rearwardly to the position shown in full lines on FIG. 6, that is, only after folding of the tape length 12 has been completed. The closing of the jaws 77 and 78 causes heat and pressure to be applied, at the raised areas 90 of the jaws, to the folded legs of the thermosetting resin impregnated tape length, thereby to effect securing together of the folded legs. Upon the return or forward movement of the blades 32 and 33 to the rest positions thereof indicated in broken lines on FIG. 6, cam 94 again permits valve 93 to cause the supplying of compressed air to cylinder 88 through the forward conduit 91, whereby the jaws 77 and 78 are opened to permit the further advance of the buckle following the securing together of the legs of its tape length or tab 12.

As shown on FIGS. 2 and 7, the track along which the buckles 10 are progressively advanced by the buckle feeding mechanism of the apparatus 14 terminates immediately beyond the station S. Thus, as each completed adjustable strap assembly is advanced from the station S, the buckle 10 thereof is freed from the guide track 15, and such buckle moves onto a transfer finger 97 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 9).

The transfer finger 97 is mounted for movement between a buckle receiving position shown in full lines on FIGS. 3 and 9, where the transfer finger receives the buckle 10 of the completed strap assembly immediately 0 upon the discharge of such buckle from the guide 15, and a buckle transferring position shown in full lines on FIG. 10 and in broken lines on FIG. 3, where the buckle of the transferred strap assembly is slid onto one of the radially extending arms 98 of a delivery turret 99.

In order to support the buckle 10 of the strap assembly being transferred during movement of the finger 97 from its substantially horizontal buckle receiving position to its upwardly directed buckle transferring position, the free end portion of the finger 97 is formed with two spaced apart ledges 100 and 101 (FIG. 9) adapted to engage the underside of the buckle 10 at the front edge of the latter and intermediate the ends of the buckle, respectively. Further, a pressure plate 102 is disposed on top of finger 97 and has an edge portion thereof overlying the ledge 100. A screw 103 extends through pressure plate 102 and finger 97, and a helical compression spring 104 is provided on screw 103 between the underside of finger 97 and a nut 105 on the screw thereby to urge the pressure plate 102 downwardly against finger 97. The purpose of the pressure plate 102 is to yieldably grip the front edge of each buckle 10 between the ledge 100 and the overlying edge portion of the pressure plate, thereby to prevent inadvertent removal of the buckle from its seat on the end portion of finger 97 during movement of the latter. The finger 97 is further provided with a wire bail 106 (FIGS. 2, 9 and 10) extending from the free end portion of the finger and intended to maintain the tab 12 of the strap assembly substantially in the plane of the buckle 10 thereof during transfer of the buckle to an arm of the turret 99.

As shown on FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the mounting for the transfer finger 97 is carried by a post 107 extending upwardly from the base plate 24 of frame 23 and includes a bent lever 108 having angularly related arms 109 and 110. The lever 108 is mounted on post 107 for rocking in a vertical plane about a pivot 111 intermediate the two arms 109 and 110. A bell crank 112 is rockably mounted on a pivot 113 carried by the free end of arm 109 for angular movement relative to the latter in a vertical plane and includes an arm 114 from which finger 97 extends longitudinally and an arm 115 extending substantially at right angles to the arm 114. The mounting for the finger 97 further includes a link 116 which is pivotally connected, at its opposite ends, to a fixed pivot pin 117 located on post 107 below pivot pin 111, and to 8 a pivot pin 118 carried by the end of arm of bell crank 112.

In order to effect the required movements of finger 97, a link 119 (FIG. 3) is connected between a pivot pin 120 carrier by arm 110 of lever 103 and a pivot pin 121 carried by an arm 122 which is rockably mounted on a pivot 123 carrier by a bracket 124 depending from base plate 24. The arm 122 carries a cam follower roller 125 which is engageable with the periphery of cam 94 and which is maintained in contact with the latter by means of a tension spring 126 extending between an anchor pin 127 on arm 110 and a suitable attachment 128 on base plate 24. An additional tension spring 129 (FIG. 3) extends between the anchor pin 127 on arm 110 and an anchor pin 130 on the arm 114 of bell crank 112 for urging the latter to rock in the clockwise direction about pivot 113 relative to lever 108. The post 107 which supports the mounting for the finger 97 preferably has an inclined shoulder 131 (FIGS. 9 and 10) which is engageable by the arm 110 of lever 108 to limit the movement of finger 97 toward its buckle receiving position.

It will be apparent that, when cam follower roller 125 engages radially small portions of cam, as on FIG. 3, spring 126 maintains arm 110 of lever 108 in contact with shoulder 131, and lever 108 and link 116 locate bell crank 112 so that finger 97 extends rearwardly there from, substantially horizontally at the buckle receiving position and has its ledges 100 and 101 registered with the end of guide track 15 for receiving the buckle 10 of a completed strap assembly discharged by the action of the buckle feeding mechanism. After the buckle of a completed strap assembly has been thus positioned on finger 97, cam follower roller 125 engages portions of cam 94 having progressively increased radial dimensions so that arm 122 is rocked upwardly to effect corresponding upward movement of rod 119 and turning of lever 108 about its pivot 111 in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed on FIGS. 3, 9 and 10. During the initial turning of lever 10%, for example, from the position shown in full lines on FIG. 9 to the position shown in broken lines at 108' on FIG. 9, the arcuate paths of travel of pivot 113 about pivot 111 and of pivot 118 about pivot 117 depart only slightly from a parallel condition, whereby finger 97 initially remains substantially horizontal while being moved forwardly away from its buckle receiving position, thereby to ensure that the upper rod 30 of the folding mechanism 21 will not interfere with such movement of finger 97. As turning of the lever 10% continues in the counterclockwise direction, for example, to the position shown in broken lines at 108" on FIG. 10, the pivot 113 of hell crank 112 moves progressively downward relative to the pivot 113 forming the connection between the bell crank and link 116 so that the bell crank 112 commences counterclockwise swinging relative to the lever 108, and thereby initiates upward swing of finger 97. During further counterclockwise movement of lever 108, for example, to the poistion shown in full lines on FIG. 10, finger 97 is swung upwardly to a substantially erect position and its bail 106 moves onto the free end of the support arm 93 of turret 99 then extending rearwardly at a transferring station T (FIG. 2) so that the end of support arm 98 enters a slot of the buckle 10 of the completed strap assembly carried by finger 97.

In order to ensure removal of the buckle 10 from finger 97 upon engagement of such buckle by a support arm 98 of the delivery turret 99, cam 94 is dimensioned so that, when its portion having the largest radial dimension engages cam follower roller 125, finger 97 is moved beyond the top of its arc of travel, that is, the free end of finger 97 has a downward component of movement at the extremity of its travel near the buckle transferring position thereof. Thus, after the buckle 19 has moved onto the support arm 98, the downward movement of finger 97 serves to effect removal of the edge portion of the buckle from between the ledge 100 and the edge of pressure plate 102 of the transfer finger 97. Upon removal of the edge portion of a buckle from between ledge 100 and pressure plate 102, wire bail 106 acts against the buckle to push the latter along the downwardly inclined support arm 98, thereby to clear the end portion of the latter for reception of the next strap assembly. Further, when thus acting on a buckle, bail 106 prevents canting of the buckle and thereby avoids jamming of the buckle on the support arm 98. After the buckle of a completed strap assembly has been thus transferred to a support arm 98 of the delivery turret, cam follower roller 125 is engaged by portions of cam 94 having progressively decreasing radial dimensions, whereby lever 108 is rocked in the clockwise direction, as viewed on FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, to return finger 97 to its buckle receiving position adjacent the end of guide track 15. It will be apparent that the above described movements of finger 97 are synchronized with the operation of folding mechanism 21 and securing mechanism 22 so that finger 97 serves to transfer a completed strap assembly to the delivery turret during the time required for the folding and securing of the tab of a strap assembly at the station S and returns to its buckle receiving position upon the completion of the folding and securing operation.

In accordance with the present invention, each support arm 98 f delivery turret 99 is disposed at the transferring station T to receive strap assemblies from finger 97 until a predetermined number, for example, two dozens, of such strap assemblies have been deposited thereon, whereupon the turret 99 is indexed or turned to position an empty support arm 98 thereof at station T, and such indexing or turning of the turret progressively advances the previously loaded support arms to a delivery station D (FIG. 2) where the groups of strap assemblies accumulated on the support arms are manually removed therefrom for convenient packaging.

As shown in FIG. 2, the turret 99 of the illustrated embodiment has six equally spaced support arms 98 extending radially from a hub 132, and such arms are slightly upwardly inclined toward their free ends, as shown on FIG. 3. The hub 132 is suitably secured, as by a set screw 133 (FIG. 3), on the upper end portion of a shaft 134. Shaft 134 extends vertically through a tubular housing 135 having a flange 136 at its lower end which is secured, as by screws 137, on a forwardly directed extension 138 of base plate 124. The upper end of tubular housing 135 has a flange 139 forming a raceway for ball bearings 140 which rotatably support the hub 132. The lower end of shaft 134 projects below extension 138 of the base plate and has a ratchet wheel 141 (FIGS. 3 and 14) secured thereon. A driving pawl 142 is mounted on a pivot 143 carried by a plate 144 which is turnable on shaft 134 between ratchet wheel 141 and a collar 145 secured to the shaft. A torsion spring 146 acts on pawl 142 to urge the latter into engagement with the toothed periphery of ratchet wheel 141. As shown on FIG. 14, a holding pawl 147 is mounted on a pivot pin 148 depending from extension 138 and is operative to prevent reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 141 in the clockwise direction. A bell crank 149 is rockably mounted under extension 138 on a pivot 150 and has an elongated slot 151 in one end portion which receives a pin 152 carried by plate 144.

It will be apparent that, whenever bell crank 149 is angularly displaced from the position shown in full lines on FIG. 14 to the position shown in broken lines at 149', the ratchet wheel 141 and shaft 134 are turned through an angle equal to the angular spacing between adjacent support arms 98 of turret 99, thereby to position an empty support arm of the'turret at the transfer station T for receiving strap assemblies from the finger 97. In order to prevent over-riding of the turret 99 due to the l0 inertia of the latter, a strap 142a (FIGS. 3 and 14) de= pends from extension 138 and engages pawl 142 when bell crank 149 is rocked to the position shown in broken lines on FIG. 4, thereby to securely hold the pawl against the teeth of ratchet wheel 141.

In order to ensure that turret 99 will be turned, as described above, only after the transfer of a predetermined number of strap assemblies from guide track 15 to the support arm 98 then directed rearwardly at station T, the apparatus embodying this invention has an index control mechanism 153 actuated by a cam 154 which is fixed on the cam shaft (FIG. 3) and therefore turns in synchronism with the cam 94 which causes the swinging movement of the transfer finger 97.

The index control mechanism 153 includes an actuating arm 155 rockably mounted on a stub shaft 156 carried by a bracket 157 which depends from the extension 138 of base plate 24. The actuating arm 155 extends generally upward from stub shaft 156 and, at its upper end, carries a pivot 158 for connection to one end of an adjustable rod 159 which, at its other end, is connected to a pivot 160 on the end of hell crank 149 remote from the slot 151 (FIG. 14). A tension spring 161 is connected between a hook 162 (FIG. 11) formed on arm 155 and a bracket 163 depending from extension 138 to urge arm 155 in the clockwise direction to the position shown on FIGS. 3 and 11. Such position of actuating arm 155 is established by the engagement of pin 152 on plate 144 against the outer end of slot 151, as on FIG. 14.

The index control mechanism 153 further includes an abutment pin 164 mounted on the carrier arm 165 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 166 carried by arm 155 intermediate the ends of the latter. The abutment pin 164 projects through an arcuate slot 167 formed in arm 155 so as to extend beyond the outer surface of arm 155. The carrier arm 165 is urged downwardly about pivot 166 by a torsion spring (not shown) and thereby normally positions the abutment pin 164 against the lower end of slot 167. A ratchet wheel 168 disposed at the inner side of arm 155 is secured to a sleeve 169 turnable on stub shaft 156 independent of arm 155. A driving arm 17%) is coupled to the outer end of sleeve 169 for rotation with ratchet wheel 168 and a driving pin 171 is directed inwardly from the free end of arm 170. The pin 171 is radially positioned so that the circular path of travel of pin 171 is intercepted by the pin 164 when the latter is disposed at the bottom of slot 167. A holding pawl 172 is rockably mounted on bracket 157 and urged by a spring 173 against the toothed periphery of ratchet wheel 168 to prevent reverse rotation of the latter in the clockwise direction, as viewed on FIGS. 3 and 11. A driving pawl 74 is pivotally mounted on a pin 175 carried by a pawl carrier 176 which is oscillatable on shaft 156, and a spring 177 is provided for urging pawl 174 into engagement with the toothed periphery of ratchet wheel 168 (FIG. 11).

The pawl carrier 176 is made to oscillate between the positions illustrated on FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, by means of an adjustable connecting rod 178 which is pivotally connected, at its opposite ends, to a pin 179 carried by carrier 176 and a pin 180 carried by an arm 181 rockable on the shaft 123. Arm 181 carries a rotatable cam follower 182 riding on the periphery of cam 154. The cam 154 has a single rise or radially enlarged portion so that, during each revolution of shaft 95 which corresponds to an operating cycle of the folding and securing mechanisms 21 and 22 and of the transfer finger 97, the arm 81 is made to rise and fall and thereby angularly displaces the pawl carrier 176 from the position of FIG. 11 to that of FIG. 12 and then back to the position of FIG. 11. The angular displacement of the pawl carrier 176 is determined so that, during each displacement of the pawl carrier from the position of FIG. 11 to the position of FIG. 12, the ratchet wheel 168 is displaced through an angle which is equal to 360 divided by the number of strap assemblies to be transferred to each support arm 98 of the turret 99. Thus, if each support arm 98 is to have two dozen strap assemblies accumulated therein in the interval between successive indexing movements of turret 99, then the angular displacement of pawl carrier 176 between the positions of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, and hence the angular displacement of the ratchet wheel 168, in response to each revolution of cam shaft 95 is equal to 15.

It is further to be noted that the pawl carrier 176 has a nose 183 extending upwardly therefrom and being engageable under the arm 165 carrying abutment pin 164. The nose 183 is dismensioned so that, when the arm 155 is in the position illustrated on FIG. 11, nose 183 just contacts the underside of arm 165 with the pin 164 engaging the bottom of slot 167 and with the pawl carrier 176 being in its downwardly rocked position, as shown.

The above described index control mechanism 153 operates as follows:

Assuming that the turret 99 has just undergone an indexing movement so as to dispose an empty one of its support arms 98 at station T for receiving strap assemblies from the finger 97, the several parts of the control mechanism 153 are in the relative positions illustrated on FIG. 13, that is, with the actuating arm 155 drawn toward the right by the spring 161, the abutment pin 164 disposed at the bottom of the slot 167, and the driving pin 171 disposed immediately in front of the abutment pin 164, considered in the direction of the normal counterclockwise rotation of the arm 170. During each swinging movement of the finger 97 for transferring a strap assembly to the support arm 98 of the turret, the pawl carrier 176 is rocked to angularly displace or turn the ratchet wheel 168 and arm 171) in the counterclockwise direction through the predetermined angular displacement, for example, of 15, While the arm 155 is held in the position illustrated on FIGS. 3, l1 and 13, by spring 161, thereby to avoid turning of the ratchet Wheel 141 of turret 99.

When the next to the last strap assembly has been deposited or transferred to an support arm 98, the arm 171) has been turned to the position on FIG. 11 where the driving pin 171 is disposed immediately in back of the abutment pin 164. Following the transfer of the last strap assembly to be accumulated on a support arm 98, and during the return movement of the finger 97 to its strap receiving position, cam 154 acts on roller 182 to raise arm 181 and pawl carrier 176, thereby to turn ratchet Wheel 168 and arm 170 with driving pin 171 engaging in back of the abutment pin 164 so that actuating arm 155 is turned with arm 170 in the counterclockwise direction, as shown on FIG. 12, and thereby displaces connecting rod 159 toward the left. Such movement of connecting rod 159 displaces bell crank 149 from the position shown in full lines on FIG. 14 to the position indicated in broken lines at 149', thereby to angularly displace plate 144 carrying the pawl 142 for turning ratchet wheel 141 and turret 99. Thus, the support arm 98 carrying the desired number of strap assemblies is moved away rfom transferring station T where it has received strap assemblies from the finger 97, and an empty support arm is disposed at station T.

During the return or downward movement of the pawl carrier 176, the nose 183 of the latter acts upwardly on the arm 165, as the actuating arm 155 is in the position of FIG. 12, thereby raising the arm 165 to the position indicated in broken lines at 165' on FIG. 12, so that abutment pin 164 carried by arm 165 is raised above driving pin 171 and the spring 161 can then efiect return or clockwise movement of the actuating arm 155 to the posi tion shown on FIG. 13. When actuating arm 155 is returned to the position shown on FIG. 13, the nose 183 of pawl carrier 176 is no longer effective to raise arm 165, so that abutment pin 164 again drops to the bottom of slot 167 and is disposed in back of driving pin 171, as

I. at the beginning of the described cycle of operation of the index control mechanism 153. Thus, the mechanism 153 is operative to cause turning of the turret 99 only after a predetermined number of strap assemblies has been transferred to a support arm 98 thereof.

The arm 170 further has a knurled hub or knob 170a rotatably coupled therewith so that arm 170 can be manually turned in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed on FIGS. l1, l2 and 13. Thus, if one or more defective strap assemblies are transferred to a support arm 98 of the turret at station T, the further transfer of strap assemblies to that support arm 98 can be interrupted by manually rotating driving arm 171) until pin 171 is located in back of pin 164, whereupon, during the next operating cycle of the machine, the turret 99 is indexed to dispose an empty arm 98 at the station T, as described above. The limited or reduced number of strap assemblies on the arm 98 which has been prematurely removed from station T can then be discarded with a minimum loss of satisfactory assemblies.

As shown on FIG. 2, the station D, at which the groups of strap assemblies accumulated on the successive support arm 98 are intended to be removed therefrom is diametrically opposed to the location of the transfer station T. In order to prevent inadvertent removal of the strap assemblies from the support arms 98 during the intermittent angular movement thereof from the transfer station T to the delivery station D, a semi-circular wire retainer 183 is arranged along the path of travel of the outer or free ends of the arms 98 from the transfer station T to the delivery station D, and such wire retainer 183 has an extension 184 which is suitably mounted, as at 185, on top of the housing of the apparatus 17 for inserting the tape lengths 12 in the successive buckles. When a support arm 98 arrives at the delivery station D, the group G of accumulated strap assemblies is manually removed therefrom for convenient packaging.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modificaions may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for forming a closed loop of a length of tape adapted to be bonded to itself by heat and pressure and extending through a transverse slot of a buckle with branches of the tape disposed at opposite sides of the buckle; the combination of (A) Support means defining a horizontal support plane adapted to hold the buckle thereon with the branches of the tape extending above and below the buckle;

(B) Folding mechanism including (a)upper and lower folding blades extending substantially vertically above and below said horizontal plane, and

(b) mounting means carrying said blades with the lower and upper ends of said upper and lower blades, respectively, being free and disposed in adjacent spaced relation to said horizontal plane, said mounting means being movable generally horizontally between forward and rear portions relative to said support means so that, when said mounting means are in said forward position, said blades are adapted to be disposed in front of the branches of the tape and, upon rearward movement of the mounting means, the edges of the blades at said free ends of the latter are adapted to slidably engage the branches of the tape to fold the latter rearwardly and come to rest in front of the ends of the rearwardly folded branches when said mounting means attain said rear position;

(C) Securing mechanism including heated pressure applying means movable between an inoperative position remote from said horizontal plane and an operative position where said heated pressure applying means are adapted to engage the rearwardly folded branches of the tape in back of said blades for securing together the branches in their folded condition; and

(D) Means for synchronously actuating said folding and securing mechanisms so that said heated pressure applying means are moved to said operative position after movement of said mounting means to said rear position.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1;

wherein said free end edges of the blades have elongated recesses extending therealong and adapted to receive the branches of thetape during the rearward folding of the latter, whereby the branches of the tape are transversely guided by the blades.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2;

wherein said mounting means for the upper and lower blades are independently movable in directions generally transverse with respect to the movements thereof between said forward and rear positions;

and further comprising adjustably fixed cam means operative in response to rearward movement of said mounting means to said rear position to displace the respective mounting means for the upper and lower blades oppositely in said transverse directions, thereby adapting said blades to dispose the branches of the tape in relative angular relation upon the rearward folding thereof.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1;

wherein said mounting means includes means defining a pivoting axis lying substantially in said horizontal plane and extending transversely with respect to the movements of said blades between said forward and rear positions,

upper and lower members rockable on said pivoting axis and extending generally upwardly and downwardly, respectively, from said pivoting axis,

upper and lower rods extending slidably from said upper and lower rockable members parallel to said pivoting axis and being spaced upwardly and downwardly, respectively, from said pivoting axis,

said upper and lower blades being fixed to said upper and lower rods, respectively, at ends of the latter remote from said rockable members to move between said forward and rear positions in response to rocking of the latter,

means yieldably urging said rods axially to positions relative to said rockable members where said upper and lower blades are vertically aligned,

upper and lower cams having oppositely angled, oblique cam surfaces and being forwardly and rearwardly adjustable with respect to said pivoting axis,

cam follower means connected to said upper and lower rods and respectively engageable with the cam surfaces of said upper and lower cams upon forward adjustment of the latter to oppositely displace the upper and lower blades in directions parallel to said pivoting axis upon movement of the blades to said rear position,

and means projecting from said free end edges of the blades and adapted to engage the opposite longitudinal edges of the branches of the tape during rearward folding thereof, whereby the opposite displacement of the blades serves to dispose the folded branches in relative angular relation.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4;

further comprising a guide extending between said rods at the side of said rockable members remote from said blades, slots at the opposite ends of said guide member, and tongues at the ends of said rods remote from said blades, said tongues being slidable 14 in said slots and there loosely connected with said guide member to maintain said blades in vertical planes during angular movement of said rockable members about said pivoting axis.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said heated pressure applying means include upper and lower jaw members rockably mounted on a common axis and extending forwardly from the latter toward said support means, said jaw members being spread apart in said inoperative position so as to be adapted to allow the branches of the tape to pass freely therebetween during rearward folding thereof, and said jaw members coming together, in said operative position, so as to be adapted to apply heat and pressure to the rearwardly folded branches of the tape therebetween.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said support means is in the form of a guide track defining a path of movement for successive buckles extending transversely with respect to the directions of movements of the blades between said forward and rear positions and along which the buckles are intermittently advanced in synchronism with the operation of said folding and securing mechanisms, and said track terminates beyond said blades so as to be adapted to free each buckle from the track after folding and securing of the branches of the tape extending through a slot of the buckle.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7;

further comprising guide plates extending vertically along said track above and below the latter and adapted to vertically dispose the branches of the tape of each buckle prior to engagement of the branches by said blades, said guide plates having rearwardly curved and edges adapted to rearwardly deflect the branches and ensure that the branches are in back of said blades when the mounting means is in said forward position.

9. An apparatus as in claim 7;

further comprising a delivery mechanism operative in synchronism with the folding and securing mechanisms and adapted to accumulate the buckles successively freed from said guide track in groups of predetermined numbers.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9;

wherein said delivery mechanism includes (a) a turret rotatable about a vertical axis and having a plurality of radially extending arms movable, upon turning of the turret, from a transfer station to a delivery station,

(11) a transfer finger mounted for swinging movement between a buckle receiving position next to the end of said guide track and a transferring position adjacent the end of a support arm of said turret located at said transfer station,

(0) means effecting swinging movements of said transfer finger in synchronism with the operation of said folding and securing mechanisms and the intermittent advancement of buckles along said guide track so that said finger is at said receiving position and adapted to accept a buckle as the latter is freed from the guide track and, in subsequently moving to said transferring position, is adapted to carry the buckle for deposit on the adjacent end of a support arm of the turret, and

(d) index control means operative in response to a predetermined number of swinging movements of said finger to turn said turret and thereby move a support arm thereof on which said number of buckles have been deposited away from said transfer station toward said delivery station, while an empty support arm of the turret is simultaneously located at said transfer station.

11. In an apparatus for producing strap assemblies of sloted buckles with lengths of tape threaded through the 8,150,804 15 16 slots of the buckles during intermittent advancement of 14. An apparatus as in claim 13; the latter successively along a horizontal guide track to an wherein said means angularly displacing the driving end of the latter; a delivery mechanism for accumulating the strap assemblies in groups of predetermined numbers,

arm includes a ratchet gear rotatably coupled to said driving arm, a lever rockable on said swinging comprising axis of the actuating arm and carrying a pawl en- (A) a turret rotatable about a vertical axis and having gageable with said ratchet gear to turn said driving angularly spaced, radial arms extending therefrom arm in response to rocking of said lever in said for movement, upon turning of the turret, in a circular opposite direction, cam means adapted to be rotated path through a transfer station and a delivery station, in synchronism with the intermittent advancement (B) a transfer finger movable between a substantially 1 of the buckles along said guide track, and actuating horizontal buckle receiving position next to the end means controlled by said cam means for rocking said of said guide track and an upstanding transferring lever; and position adjacent the end of an arm of said turret wherein said means for moving the abutment pin to located at said transfer station, said finger having its released position includes a nose on said pawl means thereon adapted to releasably retain a buckle carrying lever, and a carrier for said abutment pin of a strap assembly thereon during movement of said movably mounted on said actuating arm and being finger from said receiving postion to said transferring engaged by said nose after movement of the actuatposition, ing arm with the driving arm to move the abutment (C) means effecting movement of said finger between pin to its release position upon rocking of said lever said receiving and transferring positions in synchroin aid on dir ction, whereby said actuating arm ni rn with the intermitent advancement of th b kle is free to be yieldably returned in said one direction. along said guide track so that said finger is at said An apparatus as in Claim receiving position and adapted to accept the buckle wherein Said means on the transfer finger adapted to of a strap assembly upon the discharge of the buckle r l a ly r tain he buckle of a strap assembly from said e d of the t a k nd, in moving t id 5 thereon includes spaced apart first and second ledges transferring position, is adapted to carry the buckle extending transversely across the finger at a free end for deposit on the turret arm then at said transfer thereof and at loeation Spaced from Said free end station, and so as to be adapted to support the buckle intermedi- (D) index control means operative after a predeterate the ends 0f the latter and along all end edge P mined number of strap assemblies have been detion of the buckle respectively, and a Pressure Plate posited on the turret arm then at said transfer stamounted on Said finger With an edge Portion Overtion to turn said turret through an angle equal to the lying Said Second ledge and yieldably urged toward spacing between adjacent arms of the turret, whereby the letter 50 as to be adapted to releasably p an a turret arm laden with said predetermined number end edge Portion of the buckle thefehetweenof strap assemblies is moved from said transfer sta- An apparatus as in Claim tion toward said delivery station and replaced, at tufthef Comprising mounting means for Said finger id t f t ti b an Empty eluding a lever swingable in a vertical plane, a bell 12. An apparatus as i l i 11; crank pivoted on said lever to rock relative to the h i id i d control means i l d latter in a vertical plane and having a first arm from (a) ratchet means connected with said turret and 40 which Said finger extends and a second arm, and 8 having an oscillatable pawl carrier t m i link pivotally connected, at one end, to said second turret through said angle upon each oscillation arm of the hell Crank at its other to a f id carrier, fixed pivot so that said link controls the position (1,) a i bl actuating arm yieldably urged in of said bell crank relative to said lever during swingone direction and connected to said pawl carrier mg of the latter Said link being dimensioned and to ill h latter, said fixed pivot for the link being located to main- (c) a driving arm turnable about the swinging axi tain said finger substantially horizontal during initial of i actuating arm, swinging of said lever in the direction for moving said (d) means angularly displacing said driving arm finger away from sald buckle receiving position, and, i the opposite direction through a fraction of upon further swinging of said lever in sa d d1rect1on, arevolution during each complete cycle of move- 9 h salfi crank relahve to sald lever f ment of Said t f finger so that said driving directing said finger upwardly as the latter nears said arm undergoes a complete revolution during the transfemng h transfer of said predetermined number of strap h appfiratus as Clalm assemblies to the turret arm at said transfer sta- Wherem Sald means for efiechhg Sald movement of tion and the finger includes rotary cam means, a pivoted (e) coupling means on said driving arm and actuacjtuatihg arm y g a i l ow r in engagement ati arm engageable upon the movement of with said cam means, and link means connecting said said driving arm through a complete revolution actuahhg f t0 Saltt lever 0f ald mounting means to cause said actuating arm to turn with said to Swing Sald lever response to rqekmg of Sald driving arm during the subsequent angular dis- 'f h by Sald cam mhans h h meahs placement of the latter and thereafter being rebang hlmenslohhd P that h final swmgmg of 531d leased to permit continued turning of said drivw In the movlhg Sald hhger toward i arm independent of said actuating sa1d transferring pos1t1on causes movement of the 13 An apparatus as in claim 12; finger past the end of a turret arm at said transfer wherein said coupling means includes a driving pin pro- Stahoh Wlth a downward component of movhmeht jecting from said driving arm, an abutment pin movat the and of the hhger whereby after dhposlt of h ably mounted on said actuating arm between a normal buckle oh h turret the hhger Ihhves dowh' engaged position projecting into the circular path h 1y relative to the hlrret arm Suphorhhg the of movement of said driving pin with the driving arm posited buckle so as to be adapted to release the and a released position where said abutment pin is withdrawn radially from said circular path, and means for moving said abutment pin to said released position following turning of said actuating arm with said driving arm.

latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS B ock et al. May 8, 1962 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CLOSED LOOP OF A LENGTH OF TAPE ADAPTED TO BE BONDED TO ITSELF BY HEAT AND PRESSURE AND EXTENDING THROUGH A TRANSVERSE SLOT OF A BUCKLE WITH BRANCHES OF THE TAPE DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BUCKLE; THE COMBINATION OF (A) SUPPORT MEANS DEFINING A HORIZONTAL SUPPORT PLANE ADAPTED TO HOLD THE BUCKLE THEREON WITH THE BRANCHES OF THE TAPE EXTENDING ABOVE AND BELOW THE BUCKLE; (B) FOLDING MECHANISM INCLUDING (A) UPPER AND LOWER FOLDING BLADES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY ABOVE AND BELOW SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE, AND (B) MOUNTING MEANS CARRYING SAID BLADES WITH THE LOWER AND UPPER ENDS OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER BLADES, RESPECTIVELY, BEING FREE AND DISPOSED IN ADJACENT SPACED RELATION TO SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID MOUNTING MEANS BEING MOVABLE GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY BETWEEN FORWARD AND REAR PORTIONS RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS SO THAT, WHEN SAID MOUNTING MEANS ARE IN SAID FORWARD POSITION, SAID BLADES ARE ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN FRONT OF THE BRANCHES OF THE TAPE AND, UPON REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE MOUNTING MEANS, THE EDGES OF THE BLADES AT SAID FREE ENDS OF THE LATTER ARE ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY ENGAGE THE BRANCHES OF THE TAPE TO FOLD THE LATTER REARWARDLY AND COME TO REST IN FRONT OF THE ENDS OF THE REARWARDLY FOLDED BRANCHES WHEN SAID MOUNTING MEANS ATTAIN SAID REAR POSITION; (C) SECURING MECHANISM INCLUDING HEATED PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION REMOTE FROM SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION WHERE SAID HEATED PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS ARE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE REARWARDLY FOLDED BRANCHES OF THE TAPE IN BACK OF SAID BLADES FOR SECURING TOGETHER THE BRANCHES IN THEIR FOLDED CONDITION; AND (D) MEANS FOR SYNCHRONOUSLY ACTUATING SAID FOLDING AND SECURING MECHANISMS SO THAT SAID HEATED PRESSURE APPLYING MEANS ARE MOVED TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION AFTER MOVEMENT OF SAID MOUNTING MEANS TO SAID REAR POSITION. 